ENGLISH
REFERENCE

khan

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈkɑn// UK //kˈɑːn// khan Archaic

n. a title for a powerful leader or ruler in some Asian countries, especially in the past. It is most famous for being used by Mongol leaders like Genghis Khan.

n. a title given to rulers and officials in central Asia, Afghanistan, and certain other Muslim countries. Historically associated with the Mongol and Turkic empires, it now also serves as a common surname in South Asia.


SIMPLE

The great Khan ruled over a vast empire.

CONTEXTUAL

Historians study how the Mongol Khan managed to unite various nomadic tribes under a single legal code.

COMPLEX

The expansion of the empire under the Great Khan facilitated unprecedented trade and cultural exchange across the Silk Road, connecting the East with the West through a period of relative stability.

Synonyms
Origin

As a surname via Urdu خان (xān), Persian خان (xân), among others. As a title, a proper noun form of khan.

Usage

When used as a specific title before a name, it is capitalized.

Idioms1 entry

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